The Co-op Movement

Proudly local since day one. The East of England Co-op story.

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Founded in 1844

The Rochdale Pioneers

Co-operatives were formed over 180 years ago as a different way of doing business that was better for everyone. The first successful co-op was formed in 1844 by a group of working-class men in Rochdale who established a set of guiding values and principles which we still follow to this day.

Co-operatives are based on the values of: 

Self-help
Self-responsibility
Democracy
Equality
Equity
Solidarity

Co-operatives use seven principles to put their co-operative values into practice: 

Voluntary and open membership
Democratic member control
Member economic participation
Autonomy and independence
Education, training and information
Co-operation among Co-operatives
Concern for community

Did you know Co-operative Societies gave women equal rights and opportunities long before Parliament?

Societies enabled women to receive their own dividend and have an equal vote in their co-operative, an incredible 80 years before they would receive the parliamentary vote.

Did you know Co-operative Societies gave women equal rights and opportunities long before Parliament?

Societies enabled women to receive their own dividend and have an equal vote in their co-operative, an incredible 80 years before they would receive the parliamentary vote.

The Co-operative Movement

There are over 3 million co-ops around the world, including 7,000 independent co-ops in the UK. They cover a wide range of sectors, from retail, housing, healthcare and farming. There are even co-operative football teams, like FC Barcelona.